For the Quarter Ending March 2024
North America
During the first quarter of 2024, the Methylamine market in North America encountered some obstacles. Various factors influenced the market dynamics during this period. Overall, Methylamine supply remained steady. However, there was a decline in demand, particularly from the Agrochemical and Rubber and Plastic sectors. On the other hand, the Pharma and Personal Care sectors experienced positive growth in demand.
As per the price actions its being indicated that the continuous buying activities from the market participants has cumulatively resulted into shift towards destocking of the inventories due to which this quarter witnessed continuous decline in the price. However, in the feedstock market, the price trend of Ammonia witnessed a decline in price in contrast Methanol witnessed an upturn.
In the United States, which had the most significant impact on the North American Methylamine market, the price of Methylamine during the first quarter of 2024 declined compared to the same quarter in the previous year and previous quarter as well.
APAC
During the first quarter of 2024, the Methylamine market in the APAC region remained steady. The supply of Methylamine was moderate to high, and there was lower demand from sectors such as pharmaceuticals, personal care, and Dyes & Pigments sector from the Indian market.
However, China, which experienced significant price fluctuations, faced a decline in demand from the agrochemical, pharmaceutical and other respective sectors. This led to suppliers destocking their inventory, resulting in a bearish market throughout the quarter. Compared to the same quarter in the previous year, prices declined by 22.26%. In the current quarter, there was a further decrease of 12.79% from the previous quarter due to lower demand after the holidays.
However, in the feedstock market the price of the feedstock particularly Methanol and Ammonia also witnessed continuous declining trend this quarter which has majorly impacted the price of the Methylamine in the respective period. Despite these challenges, the latest price for Methylamine FOB-Qingdao in China in the current quarter is USD 709/MT.
Europe
In the European region, Methylamine prices are experiencing a notable decline amidst downturns in key sectors. The agrochemical, pharmaceutical, and rubber and polymer industries are all witnessing downward trends, indicating reduced demand for Methylamine. This decline in demand has prompted suppliers to engage in destocking activities, further exacerbating the downward price trend. At present, Methylamine prices are on a declining trajectory, reflecting the broader market dynamics and challenges faced by various sectors.
With these industries experiencing downturns, the need for Methylamine diminishes, leading to excess supply and downward pressure on prices. Additionally, decreases in Methanol and ammonia feedstock prices further contribute to the decline in Methylamine prices.
The Supply chain issues appear to be diminishing by the end of this quarter. Manufacturers are shaking off the supply chain disruptions caused by Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. Overall, the current market conditions in the European region indicate a challenging environment for Methylamine, with prices continuing to decline amidst weakened demand and favourable feedstock conditions.
For the Quarter Ending December 2023
North America
In the United States, the price of Methyl Amine has shown an upward trajectory in the market, attributed to a strong and robust trend among suppliers. This price increase is associated with favorable fluctuations in Methanol and Ammonia prices, which have not witnessed significant spikes in either direction. The US market has experienced substantial demand for Methyl Amine, leading to an increase in exports during the respective month.
Additional factors contributing to the price surge in the US market include the escalation of freight charges along specific routes and tensions between the Middle East and the Panama Canal, albeit at a low level. Manufacturing PMI data for the month indicates a notable increase, reflecting the ongoing restructuring of the US economy over the past few quarters. The supply of Methyl Amine is on a downward trajectory, primarily influenced by the high prices set by the USA, diverging from overall fluctuations in feedstock markets and industrial demands in sectors such as Pharma, Textile, Detergent, Dyes and Pigments, and other miscellaneous industries.
Traders are consistently engaging in bidding activities, indicating a stable market trend. Major industries hold an optimistic outlook and increased demand with strong market fundamentals. This outlook signals a positive sentiment and potential growth for Methyl Amine demand.
APAC
As of the 4th Quarter of 2024, the Methyl Amine market in the Asia-Pacific region, primarily in China, has witnessed a decrease in prices. This decline can be linked, in part, to the cost support provided by favorable conditions in the feedstock market, where the prices of Ammonia and Methanol in the domestic market have shown no significant momentum throughout the month. Key players in the amines industry are making substantial capital expenditures (CAPEX) to expand their operations, aiming to reduce import dependency on China. The lower Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) data for this month indicates a reduction in industrial production within the domestic market. This comprehensive analysis sheds light on various factors influencing the Methyl Amine market in China. The bearish trend is attributed to the ample availability of inventories in major industries, leading to a subdued interest from suppliers for new accumulations. At the conclusion of this quarter, the price of Methyl Amine stood at 861 USD/MT FOB - Qingdao, marking a decline of 3.36%.
Europe
In the 4th Quarter, Germany has witnessed a significant uptick in the price of Methyl Amine. The economic landscape is marked by uncertainty, driven by the prevailing interest rate policy, and escalating geopolitical risks. Major industries in Germany face challenges due to the upward trajectory of raw material prices, impacting both demand and profit margins.
The rising trend in the manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) signals increased industrial activities and heightened demand from end-users this month. Methyl Amine is in substantial demand in Germany, particularly in vital sectors such as surfactants, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, and various miscellaneous industries within the downstream market. The demand for Methylamine in Germany remains strong, with exports also demonstrating an upward trend.
The apparent cessation of Chinese inventory dumping, combined with increased domestic chemical production, has resulted in heightened demand from domestic manufacturers and downstream markets, indicating a positive trend for production growth. The imbalance between supply and demand dynamics, along with geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, has contributed to the price surge across the German market.
For the Quarter Ending September 2023
North America
During the third quarter of 2023, the market prices of Methyl Amine plunged in the North American region with a fall in operating rates for the product due to sufficient inventories in the storage units to avoid the oversupplies of the product. In terms of the upstream market, the prices of Ammonia and Methanol declined as well, resulting in the decreased production cost of the commodity. With decreased demand from the downstream pharmaceutical sector, the uptake of the existing inventories by the end users declined, due to which suppliers decided to provide discounts in the bulk purchases by the buyers to clear the storage units for the upcoming fresh stocks, which was beneficial for the buyers. However, due to sufficient stocks, the purchasing activities declined, which led to decreased trading activities. Furthermore, the demand arising from the domestic market was fulfilled by the existing stocks in the storage units. In terms of the spread between the final product and its feedstock, it was recorded to be less, as due to the declined prices of the feedstock and decreased demand, the prices of the end product declined as well.
APAC
The Chinese Methyl Amine market witnessed a notable upward trend in Q3 of 2023, primarily driven by the surge in feedstock Ammonia and Methanol prices. Additionally, robust market fundamentals from downstream Agrochemicals and Pharmaceuticals industries have played a significant role in bolstering the market value of the product and reached USD 833/MT (FOB-Qingdao) in September 2023. The lack of sufficient stock has put pressure on meeting demand, while logistical challenges have further complicated the situation. As a result, businesses faced difficulties in fulfilling orders promptly, leading to potential delays and potential impact on overall market dynamics. This surge has been observed due to the hunger in the buyer appetite in the domestic as well as the international market, with bullish end-user consumption in the key Agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals industry. Due to the Golden Week in October 2023, trading activities were done at a higher rate to gather the inventories for the anticipated demand from the domestic market in the last few weeks of September 2023. Additionally, the price trend of its upstream ammonia and methanol increased and decreased, respectively, which further supported the price trend of the product by increasing the production cost, and sellers were allowed to improve their profit margins.
Europe
In the European market, the prices of Methyl Amine declined in the 3rd quarter of 2023. The declined price trend of the commodity was supported by the decreased prices of its feedstock, Ammonia and Methanol, which resulted in the declined production cost of the product. Furthermore, the demand for the commodity was low from the downstream Agrochemical and Pharmaceutical sectors, for which the existing inventories were sufficient with no need to restock the storage units. This proved to be beneficial for the buyers as suppliers decided to provide discounts on the bulk purchases of the commodity to clear out the inventories for the upcoming fresh stocks. Due to the decreased demand from the domestic market, the producers decided to decrease their production rate for the commodity to avoid oversupplies. Therefore, the plants ran cautiously, keeping the demand in mind, and the trading activities declined as well, which led to sufficient availability of vessels and containers, resulting in the increased shipping capacity.
For the Quarter Ending June 2023
North America
The market prices of Methyl Amine plunged in the North American region during the second quarter of 2023. A surplus of LNG imports and restructured supply chains boosted Methylamine availability, exacerbated by accumulated inventories caused by sluggish consumer spending in certain application sectors such as catalyst production, herbicide formulations, and corrosion protection services. The US CPI also plunged to 4% in the region, relieving the pressure and impact of high prices on Methyl Amine. Freight charges from the US West Coast to Asian markets underwent a moderate correction of 8%, providing partial respite from escalating expenditures associated with Methyl Amine shipping. Despite fluctuations in the domestic market, supply adequately met the demands of the downstream sector domestically. In addition, global oversupply of Methyl Amine compounded by insufficient patronage from the downstream catalyst, herbicide, and corrosion protector sectors. The market participants witnessed swollen stock levels with traders and dealers owing to prolonged dormancy in end-user demand, based on current transaction statistics of Methyl Amine.
APAC
The market price of Methyl Amine plunged in the Asian region during the second quarter of 2023, at USD 838/ton FOB Qingdao in April. The inventories of Methyl Amine elevated in the Chinese region with lowering consumption rate as per the trader’s data. Investors are pessimist about the Chinese Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating that their anticipated long-term growth rates will be lower than they have historically. The industry is trading at a Price to Earnings Ratio (PE) ratio of 36.1x which is lower than its 3-year average PE of 42.0x. The 3-year average Price to Sales ratio (PS)of 4.1x is higher than the industry's current PS ratio of 3.4x. These all factors impacted the market sentiments of Methyl Amine sales as per traders’ quotations and the stock of feed Methanol and Ammonia amongst the traders. The Indian Chemical sector saw decreased procurement of Methyl Amine due to flagging manufacturing volumes and an increase in stored quantities in the realm. Meanwhile, the accumulation of intermediary components, specifically Methanol and Ammonia, augmented, exacerbating the overall climate of the market. The market prices of Methyl Amine plunged in the Chinese region with fall in production cost and operating rates for the product was impacted by the fall in CPI by 0.2% in the marketplace. Chinese producers’ prices fell 4.6% in month-on-month basis which was worse than the market forecasts of 4.3% drop amid weakening demand and moderating commodity prices.
Europe
During the second quarter of 2023, the prices of Methyl Amine plunged in the European region as per market trade data. Market reports show that the Purchasing Manager Index dropped to 52.6 whereas the Consumer Price Index rose to 238 points. Trading statistics reveal modest German exports of Methyl Amine destined for the United States, Poland, and German markets together with heightened imports witnessed by Korean importers according to supplier quotes. The Oil and Gas industry has stayed flat over the last week. As for the longer term, the industry has declined 39% in the last year. Investors are pessimistic about the German Oil and Gas industry, indicating that they anticipate long-term growth rates will be lower than they have historically. The industry is trading at a PE ratio of 2.9x which is lower than its 3-year average PE of 6.0x. The industry is trading close to its 3-year average PS ratio of 0.64x and the inventory level of the product elevated due to impacting market prices.
For the Quarter Ending March 2023
North America
During Q1 2023, the US market experienced a surge in the price of Methyl Amine due to increased demand from downstream industries, particularly the cleaning industry, where Methyl Amine is used as a key component in the production of various surfactants. While the value of Methyl Amine increased between January and February, it decreased in March, largely due to a decline in feedstock Ammonia prices, which dropped by 9% during this period and influenced the overall price trend. Looking ahead, the price of Methyl Amine may increase during the next quarter of 2023, driven by summer seasonal demand. During the summer months, people tend to spend more time outside, which exposes them to dirt, grime, and sweat, resulting in a higher demand for effective cleaning agents. This trend is likely to contribute to an increase in demand for Methyl Amine, leading to a potential price rise.
APAC
In Q1 2023, the Asian market experienced a drop in Methyl Amine prices due to an oversupply of the product in the region, despite weak demand. In India, the product's price fell by approximately 1% and 4% in January and March, respectively, due to a continued decline in the price of Ammonia feedstock in the market. The global market's low buying interest also impacted pricing dynamics during this period. However, in February, the product's price rose by around 18% due to increased demand from the downstream cleaning industry. Similarly, in other Asian countries like China, Methyl Amine prices decreased due to easy product availability and low overseas demand. The prices fell by 7% and 13% in February and March, respectively, under the influence of improving economic activities. However, in January, the prices increased by approximately 11.5% due to increased Ammonia feedstock prices. Consequently, the product's price in China hovered around USD 842/MT at the end of the quarter.
Europe
Due to increased demand from downstream industries like the cleaning industry, the price of Methyl Amine in the European market increased in the first quarter of 2023. In the cleaning industry, Methyl Amine is used as a building block for making various surfactants. During January and February, the worth of Methyl Amine rose in Europe, yet in Spring, it declined in the Methyl Amine European market. Feedstock Ammonia prices, which decreased by 9% in March and further influenced price trends, were primarily to blame for the decline in prices. Under the influence of summer seasonal demand, the price of Methyl Amine may rise in the next quarter of 2023. During the summer, people tend to spend more time outside, exposing them to more sweat, dirt, and grime. As a result, there is a greater demand for cleaning products that can effectively remove these substances.
For the Quarter Ending December 2022
North America
As a result of insufficient product availability and higher netback among major manufacturers in Q4 2022, the price of Methyl Amine in the USA surged in October and November. As the quarter progressed, market fundamentals deteriorated, and suppliers traded according to downstream requirements. In response to low inventories among ports and rising product demand, producers revised their domestic pricing trend. Methyl Amine's operating costs have increased among enterprises, and the demand for the product increased as well. An uptick in trading activities in the US elevated the trading fundamentals with strong purchasing activity.
Asia Pacific
With limited trading activities and insufficient product inventories, the price of Methyl Amine declined with weak market fundamentals. In Dec, the price of Methyl Amine in China declined to USD 796/ton FOB Qingdao. A sufficient amount of stock was present among ports and manufacturing facilities this quarter, leading to a decline in prices. In terms of inventories, low trading fundamentals resulted in the accumulation of stocks among the enterprises. Increasing production rates have led to a decline in Methyl Amine demand in downstream paint and coating industries. There were weak purchasing dynamics from the consumer's side as the suppliers purchased Methyl Amine on a need-to basis.
Europe
Trading fundamentals among enterprises declined in Q4 2022 due to weak demand and limited purchasing activities from regular buyers. Due to product oversupplies and declining netbacks among the companies, major regional Methyl Amine producers revised prices for overseas suppliers. There was a lack of demand in the downstream textile and cosmetic industries due to adequate product stock. The downstream ventures experienced ease in production costs due to lower future settlements and energy prices. Other factors contributing to weak market fundamentals include slumping freight rates, piling stocks among ports, and European market fundamentals.
For the Quarter Ending September 2022
North America
In the third quarter of 2022, the market of Methyl Amine showcased a downtrend due to sufficient product availability and weak purchasing for new stocks. Reduced export volumes and overflooding inventories contributed to this sharp decline in the market. The declining demand from downstream Paint and coating industries slump overall demand. Due to weak demand in the local market, dealers in the regional market were keen to reduce their additional volumes, resulting in Methyl Amine price decline across the US. The major Methyl Amine producers revised their prices as weak demand forced them to offer discounts to clear their existing stocks.
Asia Pacific
The price of Methyl Amine in the regional market is inclined due to oscillations in feedstock Ammonia and Methanol prices. This quarter, a shortage of stock was present among ports and manufacturing facilities, leading to an inclination in prices. Inventory was sourced from end-user industries with cautiously operating manufacturing units according to consumer needs. In China, the cost of Methyl Amine during Sept surged to USD 871/ton FOB Qingdao. Healthy demand and production cut among the enterprises due to heat wave, resulting in high production costs. Demand for Methyl Amine from the Paint and coating industry and pharmaceutical sector surged, pressuring the producers to keep up with the consumer’s demand.
Europe
In Q3 2022, the price of Methyl Amine in the European region declined with subdued demand and high regional inventories. This quarter, upstream Methanol and Amine have been trading lower on weak product futures and pressured pricing across Europe compared to other producing regions. Market sentiments remained dampened on low Methyl Amine demand and ample stocks with the local traders. The market fundamentals remained intermittent for the Amine market in European markets because of declining demand from the downstream sector, including agrochemicals and paint industries. Due to oversupplies, spot prices of Methyl Amine also fell, and the traders were purchasing the product as per the requirement from the downstream ventures.
For the Quarter Ending June 2022
North America
In Q2 2022, the prices of Methyl Amine surged, and the demand was robust compared with the previous quarter. Feedstock Ammonia and Methane prices also surged due to healthy demand in the region and bullish demand from the downstream market. The exports of Methyl Amine from the United States to Asian and European regions increased. In this second quarter, accelerating demand for Methyl Amine in agricultural chemicals, paint, and pharmaceuticals industries is set to boost the market growth. However, the prices slipped towards the end of June with oversupplies of products which slowed down the trading activities and increased inventories among the enterprises. Logistics constraints and rising freight costs remained the major concern for trading to overseas suppliers.
Asia Pacific region
In this quarter, the price of Methyl Amine surged with succeeding months. In India, the cost of Methyl Amine during June surged to USD 865/ton Ex-Chennai. Strong market sentiments and insufficient product availability resulted in such a price trend. The fluctuations in the price trend were due to accelerating production costs and surging operating costs. Methanol prices slipped in upstream value, but healthy demand from downstream pharma and agricultural industries kept the prices firm. Plant shutdown in the region due to maintenance and constraint supply regulated the price. Traders were interested in bulk purchasing, disrupting supply/demand fundamentals. Exports of Amine compounds from China and India to the Southeast Asian region surged this quarter as tight supply boosts trading activities.
Europe
The price of Methyl Amine surged in the second quarter of 2022 with insufficient product availability and deterred the market sentiments from the downstream end. Germany, the major exporter of Methyl Amine, experienced an upward trend in the price with increasing freight charges due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Increasing demand from downstream paint and agricultural market and deteriorating inventories in the production enterprises further boost Amine compounds' prices. This upward price shift has caused the European market to experience healthy trading in Q2 of 2022. However, margins and sales for Methyl Amine producers increased by the end of the quarter as the supply remained affected and demand from the end user surged.
For the Quarter Ending March 2022
North America
In this quarter, the price of Methyl Amine surged in US with strong demand and surging raw material Methanol and alkyl Amine prices. Due to the rise in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, US worried about increasing the cost of energy and affected exports to the global market. Inflation in the downstream derivative demand and rising Natural Gas prices drove the Methanol market in the region. Most producers had the option to contractual bind commitments for standard material without delay, however others encountered a deficiency of specific specialty grades in this quarter, the demand has seen uptick in order activities and the inventories were heard to be low. In US, the price of Methyl Amine in March was observed to be USD 980/ton CFR Texas.
Asia Pacific
Robust demand and surging feedstock prices gave boost to the prices of Methyl Amine in India and China. Increasing the usage of feedstock Methyl and amines across Paint and coating helped the market to grow. Strong market sentiments and unavailability of the product in the regional market surged the prices in the regional market. Imports from Indonesia and Vietnam also surged with high freight and transportation cost. Escalating number of large-scale processing facilities and increasing Methanol tapping activities have underpinned the development of a key production and consumer market for Methyl amine in India. In India, the price of Methyl amine during March was observed to be USD 734/ton Ex-Chennai.
Europe
In Q1 2022, the price of Methyl amine accelerated to record heights with accelerating demand and constraints supply in the European market. The unprecedent and extraordinary cost escalation of raw materials and downstream food processing and construction enterprises in Germany gave boost to the prices in the regional market. The inflationary trend remained unexpectedly high, and the entire supply chain was still extremely volatile and under very severe constraints with significant pressure on availability and costs. Inventories in the enterprises were heard to be low and the demand/supply gap pressurized the producers to fulfil the requirement from the end users. In Germany, the price of Methyl Amine during March observed to be USD 1250/ton FD Hamburg.
For the Quarter Ending December 2021
North America
In North America, the price of Methylamine observed high in the Q4 2021. As the market price of ammonia and methanol showcased significantly rise in this quarter due to increase in demand from the downstream sector industries. Meanwhile, rise in the price of ammonia was primarily driven by increase in price of natural gas in the global market. Soaring freight charges and logistics delays have also added to tightness in the fertilizer industries which further affected the prices of ammonia in the US during quarter 4 of 2021. Conclusively, taking pressure from these circumstances, significant rise in the price of Methylamine was observed during fourth quarter of 2021 across US market.
Asia
In Asia, the overall rise in market of Methyl Amine was observed during quarter 4 of 2021. Taking pressure from price of Ammonia Which was rising due to the robust demand for the product from downstream fertilizer sector bolstered by arrival of cropping season. Furthermore, there was notable increased in the market prices of methanol due to fair demand for the product from downstream sectors coupled with high feedstock value. Overall buoyancy in the price of natural gas also affected the price fluctuations in the market of methanol, while delayed imports from Saudi Arabia also remained a major factor behind rise in raw material cost across Indian market.
Europe
In Europe, the market sentiments for Methyl Amine remained high during this quarter, as the price of feedstock Ammonia and Methanol were floating at high note due to the significant increased of prices of natural gas. Consecutively resulted into rise in prices of several commodities including the growth of Methylamine. Additionally, inflated freight charges and shortage of shipping container further affected the market of feedstock as well product prices across regional market. Meanwhile, Methylamine price for quarter 4 observed inflated in 2021, while traders heard revising their offers in order to sustain profitability, while soaring input cost was pressuring their margin.
For the Quarter Ending September 2021
North America
In North America, an upward trajectory in the price of Methyl Amine was observed during the third quarter of 2021 backed by the rising costs of upstream ammonia due to volatility in the crude oil prices. Moreover, Ida hurricane that made landfall in the gulf coast of US during August end, curtailed the production activities as well as disrupted the supply chains that directly impacted the prices of Methyl Amine during this timeframe. However, the demand from the downstream Pharmaceuticals remained firm in this quarter. Methyl Amine prices are expected to stabilize in the coming quarter after recovery of production rates in US.
Asia Pacific
In Asia, Methyl Amine prices experienced a downward trend throughout the third quarter of 2021. Decline in prices of feedstock along with dull demand from the downstream manufacturers supported this price trend of Methyl Amine during this timeframe. In India, a steep fall in the value of Methyl amine was observed backed by the dwindling prices of feedstock and the sluggish demand sentiments of the regional manufacturers. Besides, the inventories levels improved after the improvement in the production levels in the region which further brought down the values of Methyl Amine in this quarter. Methyl Amine CFR JNPT prices declined to USD 595.11 per MT in September from USD 695.31/MT price accessed in July.
Europe
European market witnessed an uptrend in the price of Methyl Amine during the third quarter of 2021, as leading producers like Eastman and Dow raised their prices for all their Alkyl Amine products. This rise was supported by high production cost and supply tightness in the market that directly influenced the values of Methyl Amine. Additionally, delayed imports, soaring freight charges and the limited availability of the shipping containers further sent ripples to the Methyl Amine values in the meantime. However, the demand from the downstream sectors seemed to be improved in this quarter.
For the Quarter Ending June 2021
North America
Amine supplies in the North American region showed marked improvement as the industrial infrastructure in the USA Gulf region recovered from the devastating impact of the polar winter storm Uri, and major manufacturing facilities ramped up production. Eastman Chemicals ramped up the production rates to fulfil the backlog of orders. The pricing trend of the Methyl Amine showed an uptick for a larger part of Q2, taking cues from the feedstock Ammonia and Methanol. Surging crude oil further maintained operational cost pressure. Methyl Amine demand surged in Q2 as the export market improved and the offtakes were consistent from the pharmaceutical, rubber and dye industries.
Asia Pacific
The Southeast Asian Methyl Amine market remained under pressure as several economies in the region were severely impacted with the second wave of the COVID which restricted the commercial and industrial activities and pressured raw material availability. Some Asian Methyl Amine producers reduced the operating rates to 70% in May. Therefore, the supplies remained stable while demand remained soft amid prevailing weakness from some consuming sectors. The price of Methyl Amine declined by 10.5% (QoQ) in India with Ex-Works settlements assessed at USD 698 per tonne in June. Demand observed a significant growth from the pharmaceutical and agrochemicals sector, whereas offtakes from the rubber and dye industries witnessed a gradual decline.
Europe
Ease in imports of Methyl Amines from the North American region improved the operating rates at several downstream manufacturing facilities. Ramped up run rates further improved supplies in the European region throughout the quarter. However, some constraints were witnessed in the second half as the buyers were reluctant to procure the high-cost feedstock and wait and see approach strongly gripped the European spot market. Demand surged from the rubber industries due to improving offtakes from the recovering automotive sector in the European region.
For the Quarter Ending March 2021
North America
During the first quarter, Methyl Amine supplies were strained in the North American region, as several feedstock plants and a major Methyl Amine manufacturer declared force majeure in mid-February, amid severe extreme freeze weather condition in the US gulf region. The demand inclined in the domestic market as the consumption from demand for derivatives and pharma intermediates remained robust. Surging raw material pushed up the production cost of several Methyl Amine manufacturers. Tightness in the market supply was exacerbated by the shutdown of Oxea Chemicals Corporation’s Texas unit in February which further led to global supply shortage. Eastman Chemical Company increased the prices of downstream derivatives by USD 176/MT, effective for all its April deliveries.
Asia-Pacific (APAC)
The supplies in the APAC region were tight during Q1 of 2021, due to lesser supply amidst the Chinese Lunar New Year holidays, followed by the global supply shortage scenario of Methylamine. The demand witnessed a constant uptrend due to the continuous consumption from downstream agrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals sectors. Tight supply and high demand inclined the prices of Methylamine in the domestic markets of the region. Meanwhile, India witnessed an improvement in the imports on y-o-y basis in month of January. The quarterly average of Methylamine prices on CFR India basis was assessed around USD 507/ton.
Europe
Methyl Amine supplies in the European region were constrained due to the second wave of COVID-19 and lockdown imposed in major economies across the region. However, the demand improved in the region, due to the surged offtake from the downstream market. Robust demand, especially from the pharmaceutical sector and lesser capacity utilization prompted domestic amine manufacturers announce positive revision in prices throughout the third quarter.
For the Quarter Ending December 2020
Asia
During Q4 2020, the overall market of Methylamine in Asia was stable and fair demand from the pharmaceutical sector supported the prices. A major Methylamine manufacturer of China revealed that, during Q4 2020, they experienced good sales of Methylamine in semiconductor, electric vehicles batteries, and pharmaceutical sector owing strong margins. Several players anticipated that strong demand would push the Methylamine prices in the upcoming months. Similarly, in the Indian market, strong demand of Methylamine from the pharmaceuticals and agrochemical sector supported prices rise. During Q4 2020, the CFR JNPT price of Methylamine rose from USD 462.9/tonne in October to USD 506.9/tonne in December.
North America
In the North American region, US’ major imports of Methylamine were mainly from Canada. But the Canadian market was going through the shortage of feedstock Methanol. This shortage was driven by unplanned shutdown of major Methanol plants since Q2 of 2020. On the other hand, Gulf coast Ammonia LLC updated that their new ammonia plant in Texas is soon be completed. This plant will solve the global supply crisis of Ammonia. In addition, the demand from Mexico was fair throughout the quarter and from October to November the average price of Methylamine was raised by 5.1% in Mexico.
Europe
The European Methylamine industry was heard struggling to cope with production related constraints. During Q4 2020, Europe faced shortage of the feedstock Methanol, due to fire broke out in Equinor’s Methanol manufacturing unit in Norway. This plant accounts more than 25% of the total methanol production of Europe, holding 900,000 tonne/year of production capacity. This shortage hampered the production of Methylamine across the region although the demand was still not up to the pre-pandemic levels.
